The Niagara Parks Commission (NPC) and its New Year’s Eve event partners have an exciting roster of musical talent that has been assembled for this year’s FREE New Year’s concert in Queen Victoria Park. On December 31st, ring in 2017 with local band, James Blonde, set to start the evening off at 8 p.m. to entertain and rock in the New Year.

The Niagara Falls New Year’s concert in Queen Victoria Park (QVP) draws approximately 50,000 people to the Park, and this year is expected to be no different, so come out and celebrate with us and enjoy two spectacular fireworks displays planned for 9:00 p.m. and midnight that evening.

New Year’s Eve is one of Niagara Falls’ busiest and best nights of the year! It is exciting to see the whole city coming alive, as Niagara provides more to do than anywhere else in Canada on this special night. Visitors and residents alike should come on down and enjoy the entire tourism district in full swing – from great music in Queen Victoria Park to family fun at Clifton Hill’s World Famous Street, to the high-energy gaming at the Niagara Casinos; as well as enjoy the many restaurants and spectacular hotel getaways, Niagara is the place to be on New Year’s Eve.

Sam Roberts Band:
Award-winning Sam Roberts Band headlines the Niagara Falls New Year’s Eve celebration in Queen Victoria Park. The Sam Roberts Band 2001 debut release, The Inhuman Condition, became one of the bestselling independent releases in Quebec and Canadian music history. They recently released their new album TERRAFORM on October 28th.

Serena Ryder: Ryder first gained national recognition with her ballad “Weak in the Knees” in 2007. She is a Toronto-born accomplished songwriter and musician, who possesses a three-octave vocal range and is considered a mezzo-soprano. Her timbre has been described as slightly nasal with a raspy lower register. She has received four prestigious Juno Awards that include: 2008 New Artist of The Year, 2009 Adult Alternative Album of The Year (Is It O.K.), 2010 Video of The Year (Little Bit of Red) and 2013 Adult Alternative Album of The Year. In her MuchMusic Video Award debut last month, Ryder was nominated for three awards, and took home the trophy for Rock / Alternative Video of The Year and went on to perform a stellar live medley of her two hits, “What I Wouldn’t Do” & “Stompa”.

High Valley: Recently declared by Rolling Stone as a Country Artist You Need To Know, High Valley continues to catch the attention of critics, being named “Artist To Watch” by Taste of Country, CMT, Spotify and Pandora. With more than 6.6 million streams, the lead single “Make You Mine,” named “Country Song of the Summer” by Billboard, has already sold more than 150k downloads worldwide as it races toward the top 20 and climbing on the country radio charts. High Valley is currently on the road with Martina McBride on her “Love Unleashed Tour” through December. They have back to back wins as Group or Duo at the Canadian Country Music Association Awards, seven Top 10 hit singles, three gold record certifications, and two JUNO award nominations.

Additional Event Details
Please note no alcohol is permitted on-site and as always, dress appropriately for all outdoor events. A variety of food and beverage vendors will be available, you won’t have to go far for refreshments during this spectacular celebration. And with our outdoor licensed area, everything you need is right here! As always, the presence of security and policing will be on-site to ensure everyone’s safety throughout the night.

The Winter Festival of Lights strives to offer events like the New Year’s Eve Concert Extravaganza at no charge to the public however it does cost a considerable amount of money to host these great shows so we appreciate the donations made by those attending the New Year’s Eve Party. Look for their Donation Barrels placed within Queen Victoria Park and feel good knowing that your contribution helps.

Directions/Parking
The best parking lot that is close to not only the concert in the park, both casinos (Casino Niagara and Fallsview Casino), Fallsview Blvd. and all the main Clifton Hill attractions, is just off Robinson Street. If you enter the parking lot from the back, you will fare much better in getting in quickly. We also have a new added entrance on Victoria Avenue, for 3 ways in and 3 ways out! Below, you will find a map of this lot. It is large and extends from Clifton Hill all the way to the Skylon Tower. You should have no problem finding a parking spot here, and the price to park will be much cheaper than along the Niagara Parkway, which will actually be closed down in sections.

How to get here:
Route #1 From Highway 420 1. Once you are on Highway 420 heading towards the Falls 2. Turn RIGHT onto Stanley Avenue 3. Take Stanley past Lundy’s Lane 4. LEFT on Robinson Street. 5. Continue Straight and before you hit the dead-end go LEFT into the Clifton Hill back entrance. Once parked, it’s a quick walk to the main event.

Route #2 From Highway 20 (turns into Lundy’s Lane) 1. Follow Highway 20 passed Thorold Townline Road (where it turns into Lundy’s Lane) 2. Turn RIGHT onto Stanley Avenue 3. Turn LEFT on Robinson Street 4. Continue straight and before you hit the dead-end go LEFT into the Clifton Hill back entrance. Once you’re here, you will find parking spots and a quick walk to the Jolley Cut which takes you down to the event.

Route #3 From Thorold Stone Road 1. If you are on the QEW heading south towards Niagara Falls you will see signs for Thorold Stone Road. 2. Take the Thorold Stone Road exit and turn LEFT, continue all the way through to Stanley Avenue, slight right. 3. Follow Stanley Ave past Highway 420 and Lundy’s Lane 4. Turn LEFT on Robinson Street 5. Continue straight and before you hit the dead-end go LEFT into the Clifton Hill back entrance. Once parked, it’s a quick walk to the main event.

Route #4 From McLeod Road 1. On the QEW, head south towards the Falls and take the McLeod Rd exit and turn left. 2. Travel through to the Marineland Parkway and turn LEFT on Stanley Ave 3. Turn RIGHT onto Robinson Street 4. Continue straight and before you hit the dead-end go LEFT into the Clifton Hill back entrance. Once parked, it’s a quick walk to the main event.

*Please note that exiting off the 420 onto Stanley Avenue will most surely be backed up all the way to Lundy’s Lane. Your best bet would be to stay on the QEW Niagara and then get off at McLeod Road and backtrack (Route#4). You will be less likely to hit heavy traffic then.*

About the AuthorChristine Lynn

Christine Lynn is a Broadcast Journalism graduate from Mohawk College, who has worked in radio promotions and is currently employed by HOCO Entertainment & Resorts on Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls.
As their Social Media Coordinator, she regularly blogs on www.cliftonhill.com and is active on all their social media platforms. Christine has a drive to bring tourism not only to Clifton Hill, but to the Niagara Region as a whole.
When Christine is not promoting Niagara Falls, she is an avid runner who races competitively and fiercely. She is devoted and dedicated to the sport and in health & fitness in general. She lives in St.Catharines with her 3 year old son, 2 cats and a dog. She has a strong addiction to coffee, sushi, and making people smile.
Christine also has a blog at: https://christinelynnblog.wordpress.com